Apparatus for duplicating with master cards



i Jan. 25, 1966 G. KoocH ETAL 3,230,871

APPARATUS FR DUPLICATING WITH MASTER CARDS Filed Sept. 26, 1965 I5 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG. 2. Z

FIGI. v /2 4a INVENTORS onor: KoocHf Du PRoFFi 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 ROLF A DUMPROF INVENTORSJ F i www ATTYS Jan. 25, 1966 G. KoocH ETAL APPARATUS FOR DUPLICATING WITH MASTER CARDS Filed Sept. 26, 1963 Jan. 25, 1966 G. KoocH ETAL APPARATUS FOR DUPLICATING WITH MASTER CARDS 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Sept. 26, 1965 INVENTOR-S.

GEORGE KOOCH ROLF .DU PROFI:3

ATTYS.

United States Patent 3,230,371 APPARATUS FR DUILICATING WITH MASTER CARDS George Kooch and Rolf A. Dumprolf, Philadelphia, Pa., assignors to Seriptomatic, Inc., Philadelphia, Pa., a corporation ofv Delaware Filed Sept. 26, 1963, Ser. No. 311,693 Claims. (Cl. lOl-53) The lpresent invention relates to new and useful method and apparatus for duplicating an address or other printed matter from a master card to a work piece. The apparatus ofthe present invention is illustrated and described as a machine that prints by the hectograph process wherein the area ofl the Work piece to be imprinted is moistened with ak solvent and thereafter the work piece and master card are brought into pressure applying relationship with each other to transfer the address or other printed matter from the master c-ard onto the imprint area ofthe Work piece.

A primary object of the present invention is to provide a novel method and apparatus for transferring printed matter from a master card to a work piece wherein the cards and work pieces are brought into predetermined, selectively adjustable confronting relation or registry so that the printed matter may be transferred to a desired area of the work piece.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel duplicating machine which includes means for feeding work pieces and master cards in pairs to a printing station where the printed matter is transferred from the master card to the work piece and means for selectively regulating the Work piece and master card feed means relative. to one another so that the printed matter may be transferred to a predetermined, selectively variable area of the work piece.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an addressing machine or the like wherein work pieces are fed through the machine at a predetermined constant rate and which incorporates novel features of construction and arrangement whereby printed matter may be transferred from a master card to a predetermined, selectively variable area of the work piece without changing the rate of movement of the work piece through ythe machine.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a novel addressing machine and the like which may accommodate work piecessuch as envelopes or the like of various sizes and which is open-ended to allow any size material to pass through the machine.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a novel addressing machine or the like having the features and characteristicsl set forth above which is of relatively simplified, compact construction, may be manufactured easily and economically and is entirely ef- 'cient and effect-ive in operation and; use.

These and other objects of the present invention and the variousfeatures and details of the operation and construction thereof are hereinafter more fully set forth and described with reference to the accompanying drawings, inV which:

FIG. 1- is a side elevational view of an addressing machine made in vaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan View of the, addressing machine shown inl FIG. l;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary. side elevational View partly in section to showfinternaly elements of the machine more clearly;

FIG. 4 isa transverse sectional view taken on lines 4:74; Of FIG. 2;

3,236,87l Patented dan. 25, i966 ICC FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 5 5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is -a sectional view taken on line 6-6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line '7-7 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal sectional view taken on line 8-8 of FIG. l; and

FIG. 9 is an electrical schematic of the time delay circuit for controlling actuation of elements of the machine to effect selective transfer of printed matter from a master card to a work piece.

With reference to the drawings, there is illustrated an addressing machine or the like made in accordance with the present invention which is adapted to receive master cards and work pieces, apply a solvent to a selected area of the work piece, bring the cards and work pieces into predetermined, selectively adjustable registry with one another, cause the material on the cards to be copied onto the selected area of the work piece and then discharge the cards and work pieces separately from the machine.

Considering now the primary components of the machine and their respective functions in relation to operation of the machine, work pieces, such as envelopes, are mounted in a stack at the rear of the machine and are adapted to be fed one at a time into the machine and advanced along a predetermined straight line path. In the course of movement along the path, the work piece passes through a solvent-applyingstation W wherein solvent is applied by a solvent roller to a predetermined selected imprint area of the work piece. Thereafter, the work piece and a master ca rd are fed simultaneously to a printing `station P in a manner whereby the cards and work pieces arrive in a predetermined alignment or registry so. that the printed matter to be transferred is in registry with a selected portion or imprint area of the work piece. At the printing station P, the material printed on the master card is transferred to the selected imprint area of the work piece by pressing the printed area of the cards into engagement with the solventmoistened imprint area of the work piece. Upon leaving the printing station P, the cards and work pieces are fed along separate paths and are discharged separately from the machine into separate collection zones Zc and Zw,l respectively.

An important feature of the machine of the present invention is the provision of means for selectively varying the confronting relation of the card and work piece of each of the pairs prior to passage through the printing station P so that the printed matter may bev transferred to any desired portion of the work piece. To this end, in the present instance sensing means is provided along the path of movement of the work piece which upon engagement by the work piece when it initially enters the machine, conditions the solvent roller for engagement with a selected portion of the work piece when it passes through the solvent applying station` W and also conditions the master card feed means to discharge a master card so that the printed matter thereon registers with the `selected portion of the work piece. The sensing means which may be a switch or other indicator operates to initiate operation of the solvent roller actuator and master card feed means, for example, by an electric. circuit which may include variable time delay means operable to provide an adjustable time lag between engagement of the sensing means by the work piece and actuation of the solvent roller and master card feed. This effect-s transfer of the printed matter to a selected portion of the work piece. By this arrangement, Work pieces may be fed into the machine at a predetermined constant rate and the location of the printed matter to be transferred thereon may be varied selectively.

Although the illustrated embodiment of the invention is shown and described as being a hectograph process, it is to be understood that the process carried out by the machine may be other than the conventional hectograph process for the printing of work pieces.

Considering now more specifically the components of the machine, the machine illustrated comprises a main frame structure including a pair of upstanding side walls 12 and cross braces 13 supporting table plates lfia and 14b which provide a support surface for work pieces to travel over. Rotatably mounted between the side walls 12 of the frame structure is a series of feed rolls in the present instance, three rolls 18, 20, and 22 which are spaced apart longitudinally of the frame structure in the direction of movement of the work pieces therethrough, each feed roll having a peripheral edge portion which projects above the top surface of the work piece support surface as illustrated in lIFiG. l. Suitable drive means is provided to rotate the feed rolls including an electric motor M and transmission means such as a chain connecting the shaft of the electric motor to `sprocket wheels mounted on the feed rolls. Pressure rolls rotatably mounted on outer ends of resilient spring metal fingers 32 carried by a support rod 33 extending transversely of the machine, are provided which are cooperatively disposed relative to the feed rolls i8' and 2d so that as work pieces enter the nip of the pressure rolls 30 and feed rolls 18 and 20, they are advanced through the machine. The feed rolls, as illustrated in FIG. 8, may comprise a steel core 34 and an outer jacket 36, for example, of polyurethane which provides a high degree of traction to the work pieces being moved through the machine, thereby eliminating the necessity of driving the pressure rolls 30.

A flat feed table 17 is detachably secured to the frame at the rear portion of the machine on which the work pieces are supported prior to the printing operation. By this arrangement, any suitable table may be attached to the machine when it is desired to set up the machine for use and detached from the machine when it is not in use. In the present instance, the work pieces are stacked on the table 17 between a pair of adjustable guide members 16 which extend longitudinally of the table and are adjustable laterally thereof to accommodate various size work pieces and also to align the work pieces in a predetermined selected position for entry into the addressing machine. The work pieces may be fed into the addressing machine one at a time manually or by suitable conventional feeder mechanism.

Accordingly, as work pieces are fed one at a time from the stack on the table 17, the leading edge enter-s the nip of the feed roll 18 and pressure roll 30 and is advanced longitudinally through the machine to the solventapplying station W where a rotatably mounted solvent roll 38 applies solvent to the imprint area of the work piece. The solvent is in liquid form and is initially received in a container 40 which is supported in the machine and which is provided with an opening in its lower end which in turn connects with a wick 44 by means of a tube as shown in FIG. 4. The wick 44 engages the outer periphery of the solvent roll 38 which in turn transfers the solvent to that portion of the work piece engaged by the roll 38.

As the solvent-moistened work piece leaves the solventapplying station, it continues on its forward path of travel and engages in the nip of the feed roll 22 and a printing roll 46. Simultaneously, a single master card is fed to the nip of the drive roll 22 and printing roll 46 in predetermined timed relation with the work pieces to cause the moistened imprint area of the work piece to be engaged by the printed matter on the master card. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the printing roll 46 is mounted on a bracket which is spring biased to urge the printing 4 roll 46 into pressure-applying relation with the feed roll 22.

The master cards are carried in a card carrier 50 and retained in a predetermined position in the card carrier by means of a forward retaining wall 52 and spaced parallel side walls S3. An adjustable retaining plate 74 is positioned adjacent the forward surface of the front retaining wall 52 of the card carrier which is adjustable relative to the base member 55 to provide a slot opening 57 of a width to permit only one card at a time to pass therethrough. The cards are fed through this slot opening 57 by means of a stripper plate 58 slidably mounted on the base 55 and is operable during forward movement thereof to engage the rear edge of the lowermost card in the stack of cards and force it forwardly through the slot opening 57. The stripper plate 58 is actuated back and forth by means of an oscillating arm 60 which mounts a pin engaging in a Islot 61 in the back end of the stripper plate 58 and which is oscillated by a drive mechanism as more fully described hereinafter. After a single card is dispensed from the card carrier, it is gripped in the nip of the feed roll 20 and printing roll 46 and forced into pressure-applying relation with the work piece to transfer the material printed thereon as described previously. The card carrier mounts tiexible fingers 62 spaced apart to sides of pressure roll 46 operable to direct the work pieces and the cards into the separate collection zones Zw and Zc, respectively. As the master cards are advanced through the nip of printing roll d6 and feed roll 22, they are engaged by a driven roll 46a which forces the cards forwardly into the collection zone Zc adjacent the forward or discharge end of the machine.

In accordance with the present invention, means is provided for selectively varying the confronting relation of the work Ipiece and master card of each pair during passage thereof through the machine for the purpose of selectively varying the location of the printed matter on the work piece. To this end, in the present instance sensing means is provided in the -form of -a switch S at the forward end of the machine having an actuator 110 disposed in the path of movement of the work piece. The switch S is connected through electric circuit rneans E to actuating means for the solvent roll and the master card feed means whereby upon engagement of the switch actuator 110 by the leading edge of the work piece, the solvent roll yand the master card feed means are conditioned for simultaneous actuation. The circuit E incorporates time delay means which is selectively adjustable to provide a predetermined selectively variable time lag between engagement of the switch S by the work piece and actuation of the solvent roll and master card feed means. By this arrangement, the work pieces may be fed through the machine at a predetermined uniform rate and by selected adjustment of the time delay means, the printed matter may be transferred to a predetenmined, selectively adjustable portion of the work pieces.

Considering now more specifically the components of the machine for accomplishing the above and the specific arrangement thereof7 the solvent roll and master card feed means are synchronized for simultaneous, predetermined cyclical operation so that the `solvent roll engages a preselected portion or imprint area of the work piece to apply solvent thereto and the master card is indexed so that the printed matter confronts the preselected, moistened portion. To this end, the solvent roll is rotatably journalled or supported in a carrier which is pivotally mounted on a stationary support rod 76 projecting from an extended portion of the side wall. The carrier 75 is normally biased to position the solvent roll in contact with the feed roll 20 (the position shown in broken lines inV FIG. 7) by means of torsion springs 80. The solvent roll is maintained in a raised position out of contact with the feed roll 20 by means of a generally circular cam 82 having radial lobe or projection 84 which engages a assos/i trunnion 86 on the carrier 74. The cam S2 is mounted o n a shaft 88. which is .rotatablyy journalled in the side wall of the frame and which, as illustrated in FIG. 4, rotatably mountsat its outer end a gear 90 which meshes and is driven by a pinion 9.9'mo'unted on the outer end of the feed roll 20. The inner 'side face of the gear 9i), is urged by means of. a compression spring 94 into pressure-applying relation with an annular' disc. 92 which is made for example, of a graphite impregnated fibrous material and which serves as a friction clutch. The disc 92 is keyed tothe shaft 83 and is normally retained `'against rotation by engagement of the plunger 96 of a solenoid 93 connected to the switch S through circuit E and a radiallyprojecting. stub 100 carried by the friction clutch` 92. The shaft 87.8, mounts at its inner free end a helical spur gear 1202 which meshes with and drives a helical spur gear 10,4; connected to the actuating arm for the master cardfeed mechanism or stripper 58.

The machine isvconditioned for operation by yactuation of a master switch S1 in the circuit E which effects rotation of the feed rolls 18, Ztl-and 22. At the start of operation, the solvent roll is in a raised position and the plunger 9,6 extended to eri-gage the stub 10i) and prevent rotation of the friction clutch 92 and shaft SS. Accordingly, as work pieces are fed one at a time into the machine, each work piece. passes into the nip ofthe first feed .roll 18 and theirst series o fpressure rolls 3u whereby it is advanced through the machine. During the course of movement of the work piece, the leading edge engages the, switch S which through the circuit E energizes the solenoid .9.8 to retract the plunger 9o. In 4order to insure actuation of the switch S, there is provided a leaf spring 89. which presses the Work piece into engagement with the switch S. Accordingly, the frictionl clutch 92 is driven by the gear 90 whereby the shaft 8,8 rotates in a counterclockwise direction with respect to FIG. 7. This counterclockwise direction moves the cam lobe S4 of the lcam 82 out of engagement with the trunnion on the carrier 7S, the carrier then being urged downwardly by means of the4 biasing torsion springs` 80 so that the solvent roll engages the work piece which has been advancedl in position over the feedroll 20. Rotation of the shaft 88 also effects actuation of the stripper mechanism 58 through the interengaging spur gears 102 and 1M to discharge a master card into the nip of the feed roll 22 and printing roll 46. The master card stripper mechanism 53 and solvent roll actuator. are suitably synchronized by 'this arrangement so that the printed matter `on the master card comes in contact with the moistened imprint area on the work piece Ias the confronting surfaces of the work piece and master card of each pair pass through the printing station P. After passage through, the printing station P, the masterV cards and work pieces are discharged into thev collection zones Ze and Zw, respectively. It is noted that the actuation of the switch S permits a single revolution ofthe friction clutch 92 and that upon completion ofthe single revolution, the cam. lobe 8.4 of the cam 82y engages the trunnion on the carrier to raise the solvent roll to the position 4shown in FG. 4. The single trevolution of the clutch 92 also effects simultaneously a single complete cycle of the stripper mechanism S8 through the meshing spur gears 162 and T64. A run out 'switch S3 is provided in the circuit E connected to a spring biased actuator 101 in the card carrier. 50 maintained in a lowered position by the weight of the cards. Accordingly, when all of the master cards .are dispensed, 4the actuator raises to actuate the switch S3 and shut olf the machine.

An important feature of the present invention is the provision of time delay means in the circut E .providing for a predetermined, selectively adjustable time lag betweenv actuation of the switch S and energization off the solenoid 98. The function of the time delay is to permit variationpin the position of the printed matter lengthwise of the work piece. The time lag provided by the time delay means is selectively adjustable from about l0 midliseconds to about 500 milliseconds whereby the printed matter may be transferred to the work piece over a variable area lengthwise of the worlf` piece from adjacent the front edge thereof to about 10 inches from the front edge. Thus, as work pieces are fed through the machine at a predetermined uniform rate, selective variation of the time delay means delays actuation of the solvent roll and master card fed means and allows the worl; piece to travel farther into the machine |before actuation of the solvent roll and master card feed means. Thus, by adjusting the time lag, the position of the printed matter may be varied selectively.

Considering now more sepciiically the details and arrangement of the circuit E, there is provided a main power supply consisting of a transformer T1, rectiier D1, capacitor C1, and auxiliary power supply or. biasl supply means consisting of resistor R10 and R11, diode D4, capacitor C3 and regulating Zener diode D1,- connected in the manner slhown by suitablek electrical leads. The time delay portion of the circuit comprises the base circuit of transistor TR1 and is composed of. the following components: resistors R1, R2, R3 and R4; switch S; oapacitor C1. Resistor R5 in the collector circuit of transistor TR1 i-s a loard resistor and does not enter into the timing portion. Zener diode D5 and resistor R8 comprises a voltage regulation device for supplying the constant voltage to the timing portion of the circuit.

The switch S is normally in the position shown engaging the contact K and in this position transistor TR1 is conducting constantly so that the collector is at` ground level, base current being supplied through resistors R1 and R2 and the normally closed position of the switch S. It is noted that the normally closed position of switch S shorts the capacitor C1 so that the potential across it is equal to the 1R drop through resistor R2. Whenswitch S is actuated by the work piece to engage Contact K1, a pulse of current is generated which passes thm-)ughl the emitter-t-o-base portion TR2 and TR3 which inv turn energizes the solenoid 9S, one pulse being. generated by e-ach actuation of the switch. Actuation of the switch S effects lformation of la variable voltage dividing network (varied by resistor R3) through resistor R1, a capacitor C1, and resistors R3 and R4. The circuit values are, adjusted so that when resistor R3 is set to 0 ohms, the transistor TR1 is turned off immediately upon actuation of switch S. When thevalue of resistor R3 is increased, the base of transistor TR1 is =held at a negative value for a longer period of time after actuation of switch. S, this time lag being dependent on the values of resistor R1 and capacitor C1 and the voltage supply to resistor R1. Upon actuation of switch S, capacitor C1 has a low impedance to charge through the emitter-base of transistor TR1 and resistor R1. This charge of current through transistor TR1 maintains, it in the ON condition until the potential on the positive end of capacitor C1 changes from a negative to a positive, value.

When switch S is released, the base circuit is reestabf lished through resistors R2 and R1 and` capacitor C1 is discharged through resistor R2. When transistor TR1 is conducting, it keeps capacitor C2 discharged through diode D2. Thus, any charge on capacitor C2 is discharged through diode D2 and transistor TR1. When transistor TR1 is turned off, capacitor C2 immediately beginsv to charge and gets its charging current throughthe emitterbase circuits of transistors TRS, TR2 and resistor R5. This charging current lasts for a period depending upon the actual values of resistor R5l and capacitor C2. Transisf tor TR2 serves as an amplifier to supply enough current for the ybase of transistor TR3 in order to saturate transistor TR3. Accordingly, it can be seen that only one pulse is supplied through the solenoid each time :switch Sis actuated or depressed and no more pulses can be obtained through the solenoid until the switch S is released and depressed again. The diode D3 across the solenoid 98 is a clamping diode to prevent the inductive kick of the solenoid from breaking down transistor TR3. Diode D2 also serves as a portion of the base current on transistors TR2 and 'FR3 since it carries the base current flow that passes through resistors R6 and R7.

Accordingly, by this arrangement, the selected time lag between engagement of the switch S and energization of the solenoid 98 may be controlled lby varying the resistance across R3 by means of the dial 99 at one side Yof the frame structure. The time delay is variable to ,the extent that the printed matter can be positioned lengthwise of the work piece over a selected range and to this end tlhe time delay is variable from 10 milliseconds to about 500 milliseconds. It is noted that with no time delay set into the machine, the solenoid 98 is energized to permit rotation of the clutch 92 at the same time the work piece depresses the actuator for the switch S, the rate of movement of the work piece through the machine being sufficient to carry the 'work piece under the solvent roller. Further, the circuit as described above, permits cycling of the machine only once for each work piece that enters the machine. The switch S must be reset by introducing successive work pieces in order to recycle the machine. Thus, the present invention provides a method and apparatus for duplicating printed matter from a master card to a work piece which permits a selected variation in the position of the printed matter on the work piece;

While a particular embodiment of the present invention has been illustrated and described herein for varying the position of printed matter on a work piece, it is, of course, to be understood that changes and modifications may be made therein to effect a similar result. For example, in lieu of the time delay in the circuit E, the switch S may be mounted for actuation lengthwise of the machine so that for work pieces passing through the machine at a predetermined uniform rate, simultaneous cycling of the solvent roller and master card feed means is effected at the same time with a constant delay between actuation of the switch S except that the position of the work piece in relation to the solvent roller upon actuation of the switch is varied by moving the switch lengthwise of the machine. Further, it is possible to provide variable speed drive means for the feed rolls controlled through the switch S so that when the speed of the feeder rolls is varied from a given speed, the position of the work piece engaged by the solvent roller varies.

What is claimed is:

1. In a duplicating machine for duplicating printed material from a mas-ter card to a work piece, means for advancing Work pieces along a predetermined path through the machine, a master card support including card feed means operable to feed cards one at a time into confronting relation With a work piece traveling along said path, sensing means mounted along said path and engageable by said work piece to effect actuation of said card feed means, pressure-applying means along said path operable to engage the confronting pairs of cards and work pieces to effect transfer of printed matter yfrom said card onto said work piece, actuating means for said card feed means Icomprising a rotatable shaft operatively connected to the card feed means, a rotatable member mounted on said shaft, drive means for rotating the rotatable member, a friction element mounted on said shaft operable to effect rotation thereof and in frictional engagement with said rotatable member, restraining means normally preventing rotation of said -friction element and means oper-atively connecting said restraining means to said sensing means whereby upon engagement of said sensing means by a work piece lsaid restraining means disengages said friction element to permit rotation thereof and rotation of said shaft to actuate said car-d feed means and adjustable time delay means providing a selectively adjustable time lag between engagement of said sensing means and actuation of said card feed means whereby the confronting relation of the card and work piece of each pair may be varied selectively to effect transfer of the printed matter on the card to a selected area of the work piece.

2. A machine in accordance with claim 1 including solvent applicator means operable to deposit solvent to a predetermined portion of said work piece actuatable between an inoperative position out of engagement with a work piece and an operative position in engagement with said work piece and means operatively connecting said shaft and said solvent applicator for selectively positioning the solvent applicator between operative and inoperative positions.

3. A machine in accordance with claim 2 including a carrier .for said solvent applicator means, spring biasing means normally urging said solvent applicator means to the operative position, a cam having a lobe mounted on said shaft which engages a trunnion on said carrier to retain said solvent applicator means in the inoperative position,

4. In a duplicating machine for duplicating printed material from a master card to a Work piece, means for advancing work pieces along a predetermined path through the machine, a master card support including card feed means, said card feed means including an electrically actuatable electro-mechanical transducer operable when actuated to control said feed means to feed one of said cards into confronting relation with a work piece traveling along said path, sensing means engageable by said work piece and including a mechanically operated switch actuatable between its open and closed positions in response to said engagement and disengagement of said sensing means by said work piece, pressure-applying means along said path operable to engage the confronting pairs of cards and work pieces to effect transfer of printed matter from said card onto said work piece, and adjustable time delay means providing a selectively adjustable time lag between engagement of said mechanically Ioperated switch andactua-tion of said electro-mechanical transducer for said card feed means whereby the confronting relation of the card and work piece of each pair may be varied selectively to effect transfer of the printed matter on the card to a selected area of the work piece, said time delay means comprising electronic switch means having a high conduction state and a low conduction state and having a control electrode for switching said electronic switch means between said states in response to variations in an electrical control quantity supplied to said control electrode, a biasing circuit connected to said control electrode and to said mechanically operated switch for supplying said control electrode with a value of said electrical quantity to place said electronic switch means in one of said conduction states when said mechanically operated switch is in one of said positions thereof and to place said electronic switch means in the other of said conduction states when said mechanically operated switch is in the other of said positions thereof, capacitive means connected to said control electrode for producing a. delay in changes in sai-d electrical control quantity, mechanically variable resistive means connected to said'control electrode when said mechanically operated switch is in one of said positions for varying the extent of saidy delay, reactive means connected to said electronic switch means and responsive to a change in the conduction state of said electronic switch mean-s produced by Said engagement to produce lan electrical pulse, and means for supplying said electrical pulse to said electro-mechanical transducer to actuate it, whereby said transducer is actuated to yfeed one of said cards at a time delayed with respect to 'said engagement by an interval controllable by the setting of said mechanically variable resistive means.

5. In a duplicating machine 4for duplicating printed material from a master card to a work piece, means for advancing work pieces along a predetermined paththrough the machine, `a master card support including card feed means, said card feed means including an electrically actuatable electro-mechanical transducer operable to control said feed means to feed cards one ata time into confronting relation with a work piece traveling along said path, sensing means engageable by said Work piece operable to effect actuation of said card feed means upon engagement thereof by said work piece and including a single pole, double throw, mechanically operable switch having a switch varm normally closed to one contact thereof and actuatab'le to close the other contact thereof in response to engagement of said sensing means by said workpiece, pressure-applying means along said path oper- Iable to engage the confronting pairs of cards and work pieces to effect transfer of printed matter from said card to said work piece, and adjustable time delay means providing a selectively adjustable time lag between engagement of said mechanically operable switch and actuation of said card feed means whereby the confronting relation of the card and work piece of each pair may be varied selectively to effect transfer of the printed matter to a selected area of the Work piece, said delay means comprising a transistor having emitter, collection and base electrodes, means for supplying emitter-to-collector operating potentials to said transistor, means for normally supplying said base electrode with a biasing current by way of a path through said one contact and said switch arm to hold said transistor in a high conduction state, said path being opened to interrupt said biasing current and to switch said transistor to a low conduction state when said switch arm is closed to said other contact, first capacitive means connected to said base electrode for providing a continued flow of current to said base electrode for a limited interval following said opening of said path so said first capacitive means charges to a predetermined voltage by way of the base-to-emitter path of said transistor, manually variable resistive means connected to said base electrode by Way of said other contact and said switch arm When said switch is in said other position for providing an additional charging path for said first capacitive means thereby to permit manual control of the duration of said interval, second capacitive means responsive to switching of said transistor to said low conduction state to produce an electrical pulse contemporaneous with said switching, and means for supplying said pulse to said transducer to cause feeding of la card at a time delayed with respect to said engagement -by an interval controllable by manual adjustment of said resistive means.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,771,838 11/1956 Federwitz lOl-53 2,883,929 4/1959 Eichenbaum et al. lOl-132.5 2,938,456 5/1960 Eichenbaum et al. l0l--132.5 2,965,019 12/1960 Hayes et al. lOl-53 3,053,176 9/1962 Shepherd lOl-132.5 3,077,833 2/1963 Sumida lOl- 132.5

EUGENE R. CAPOZIO, Primary Examiner. 

1. IN A DUPLICATING MACHINE FOR DUPLICATING PRINTED MATERIAL FROM A MASTER CARD TO A WORK PIECE, MEANS FOR ADVANCING WORK PIECES ALONG A PREDETERMINED PATH THROUGH THE MACHINE, A MASTER CARD SUPPORT INCLUIDNG CARD FEED MEANS OPERABLE TO FEED CARDS ONE AT A TIME INTO CONFRONTING RELATION WITH A ROK PIECE TRAVELING ALONG SAID PATH, SENSING MEANS MOUNTED ALONG SAID PATH AND ENGAGEABLE BY SAID WORK PIECE TO EFFECT ACTUATION OF SAID CARD FEED MEANS, PRESSURE-APPLYING MEANS ALONG SAID PATH OPERABLE TO ENGAGE THE CONFRONTING PAIRS OF CARDS AND WORK PIECES TO EFFECT TRANSFER OF PRINTED MATTER FROM SAID CARD ONTO SAID WORK PIECE, ACTUATING MEANS FOR SAID CARD FEED MEANS COMPRISING A ROTATABLE SHAFT OPERATIVELY CONNECTED TO THE CARD FEED MEANS, A ROTATABLE MEMBER MOUNTED ON SAID SHAFT, DRIVE MEANS FOR ROTATING THE ROTATABLE MEMBER, A FRICTION ELEMENT MOUNTED ON SAID SHAFT OPERABLE TO EFFECT ROTATION THEREOF AND IN FRICTIONAL ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID ROTATABLE MEMBER, RESTRAINING MEANS NORMALLY PREVENTING ROTATION OF SAID FRICTION ELEMENT AND MEANS OPERATIVELY CONNECTING SAID RESTRAINING MEANS TO SAID SENSING MEANS WHEREBY UPON ENGAGEMENT OF SAID SENSING MEANS BY A WORK PIECE SAID RESTRAINING MEANS DISENGAGES SAID FRICTION ELEMENT TO PERMIT ROTATAION THEREOF AND ROTATION OF SAID SHAFT TO ACTUATE SAID CARD FEED MEANS AND ADJUSTABLE TIME DELAY MEANS PROVIDING A SELECTIVELY ADJUSTABLE TIME LAG BETWEEN ENGAGEMENT OF SAID SENSING MEANS AND ACTUATION OF SAID CARD AND WORK PIECE OF EACH PAIR MAY BE RELATION OF THE CARD AND WORK PIECE OF EACH PAIR MAY BE VARIED SELECTIVELY TO EFFECT TRANSFER OF THE PRINTED MATTER ON THE CARD TO A SELECTED AREA OF THE WORK PIECE. 